Workshop Configurator for MBC

Challenge

The initial challenge in this project with MBC in Stuttgart was to conceptualise a digital solution that could enhance the consulting processes for Mercedes-Benz. Our project team struggled with deciding which digital service to focus on, as time constraints also limited the scope.

Process

Research

The research phase was focusing on trends in consulting and digitalization potential. The team explored various technologies and looked at existing consulting products and digital tools in industries beyond automotive, such as digital health. This research phase led the team to brainstorm potential solutions. Initially, we considered building a chatbot to help customer interactions, but feedback from following workshops with potential users from MBC suggested that a more focused solution might better meet client needs. During the research phase, we created the following persona as to represent the end customer:

Design

After narrowing the focus, the team set out to design two main prototypes: the chatbot and the workshop configurator. They used collaborative tools such as Figma for wireframes and prototyping. The chatbot's design aimed to address multiple customer needs, allowing users to inquire about project details, book workshops, or gather information about career opportunities at Mercedes-Benz Consulting. As the project progressed, the workshop configurator took precedence due to its alignment with customer demands and the enthusiastic feedback from stakeholders.

In terms of design, we adhered closely to the Mercedes-Benz Consulting (MBC) branding guidelines, ensuring consistency with their established identity. We utilized the official MBC fonts, including Helvetica Neue for its clean, modern look, and Arial as a fallback font for compatibility across different platforms. The color palette followed the MBC branding as well, incorporating the signature MBC Blue (#0033A0) for primary elements and MBC Light Grey (#F2F2F2) for backgrounds and accents. This strict alignment with MBC's style guide helped maintain a professional, cohesive appearance across all elements of the chatbot and workshop configurator interfaces.

Results

The final outputs were two developed functional prototypes: the chatbot and the workshop configurator. The chatbot could handle project inquiries, workshop bookings, and general company information. However, the workshop configurator became the main focus due to its ability to streamline the booking process for clients. It was built as a web application with dynamic functionality, such as real-time pricing and service selection. Despite some setbacks at the time, such as the lack of mobile responsiveness, the project successfully delivered a working web-based configurator.

The repository to the configurator is publicly available here: https://github.com/Kristina-Todorova/workshop_configurator